Multiuse reading table



2 Sheets-Sheet l C. W. MCNAIR MULTIUSE READING TABLE Filed Sept. l2, 1954 Sept. 17, 1935.

Sept. l?, 1935. 1 c. W. MCNAIR 2,014,394

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` 70 72 @hariw umm/*air Z 70 Z 17 @341 www/11 Patented Sept. 17, 1935 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE MnL'rIUsE READING TABLE Fla.

Application September 12, 1934, Serial No. 743,756

7 Claims.

My invention relates to a multi-use table.

The object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a table-structure capable of being selectively used as a bed table and as a oor table.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tablestructure capable of being employed as a screen.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tablestructure capable of being supported upon a bed for holding reading matter at an inclination and at a point with respect to the occupant of the bed to enable the occupant to conveniently see such matter without discomiiture.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tablestructure capable of being supported upon a bed and including means to constitute a food supporting tray and an adjustable book support for reading purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tablestructure capable of being supported upon the floor and including means to constitute a food supporting tray and an adjustable book support for reading purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, an adjustable table-structure capable of providing a food supporting tray and an adjustable reading table for association with a chair, stool, bench, etc., or for mounting in superimposed position upon a bed in a convenient position for the occupant of the bed.

A further object of my invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a tablestructure including an adjustable, extendible, hinged structure providing, when adjusted and extended, an inclined support for reading matter, music, drawings, pictures, etc., and when not adjusted and extended, a horizontal support for food or other articles.

Further objects of my invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a table-structure for the purpose referred to which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, readily adjustable for the several purposes for which it is designed, thoroughly efficient in its use, conveniently collapsed, and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture.

To the above ends essentially, and to others which may hereinafter appear, the invention consists of such parts, and such combination of parts which fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of the multi-use table in accordance with my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation thereof,

Figure 3 is a section on line 3--3 Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a section on line 4 4 Figure l, showing the extendible element in full lines in non-extended position and in dotted lines in extended position.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in end elevation,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in section showing the form of detachable holdfast means for the support for the extendible element, and

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view in front elevation illustrating the elements shown in Figure 6.

The table structure includes a body section, an adjustable, extendible section or element and a front or supporting section designated t, 9, and i respectively.

The body section 8 includes a pair of spaced parallel side bars i I, each provided in proximity to one end thereof with a threaded opening i2 25 extending from the bottom to the top of the bar. The openings l2 are arranged in alignment. Secured to the inner side face of each bar is a pair of spaced pivots I3, i4. The pivots on one bar align with the pivots on the other bar. The pivots i3 are arranged adjacent the front end and the pivots I4 positioned in proximity to the rear end of the bars. Mounted on the pivots i3 is a pair of foldable front legs i5. Mounted on the pivots ifi is a pair of foldable front legs iii. The legs i5 fold towards the legs i6. The legs i5, it when extended are adapted to support body section 8 upon `a bed. Each bar il is formed in its outer end edge il (Figures 6 and 7) with a socket I8 disposed lengthwise of the bar. Abutting the end edge Il of each bar il is an outwardly directed suspension bracket i9 formed with a hollow arm 2li and a tubular interiorly threaded shank 2i. The arm 20 provides an inverted U-shape groove 22 open at each end and having its top wall in 45 the form of an arc. The outer side of arm 2! is bifurcated, as at 23. The shank 2i extends rearwardly from the inner side of arm 2li and snugly engages the wall of socket i8. The inner wall of arm 28 is formed with an opening 2li registering 50 with the inner face of the shank. The bracket i9 is formed with a pair of inwardly extending flanges 25 which abut the side faces of and are se'- cured to the bar by holdfast means 26.

The section or element 9 includes a pair of fiat 55 oblong side members 2l arranged in superposed spaced relation with respect to the bars I I. Spacing means 23 is interposed between the rear of members 2l and the bars il. A pair of spaced parallel strap hinges 29 (Figures 4 and 6) are arranged upon the upper faces of the bars I l. Each hinge includes a pintle 35 and an upper and a lower leaf 3l, 32 respectively. The barrels 33 on one end of each of the leaves of a hinge are flush with the front end edge of a bar II. The lower leaves of the hinges are anchored upon the upper faces of the bars II. The upper leaves of the hinges are anchored to the lower faces of the side members 2l. Holdfast means for anchoring the leaves of the hinges stationary are indicated at 34.

Secured upon the side members 2l and extending outwardly and rearwardly therefrom is a plate 35 of any suitable materialconstituting a support. Secured to and depending from plate 35 is a pair of spaced oppositely disposed combined guide and track members 35 of angle shape cross section. Each member 33 is interposed between the transverse median of plate 35 and a side of the latter. interposed between the members 2 and 36, as well as being secured to said members and to plate 35 arespacedbraces 3l. The members 33 have their outer ends flush with the outer edge and their inner ends spaced from the rear edge of plate 35. interposed between, as well as being secured to the member 2l, is a brace 38. The latter abuts the inner ends of the members 35 and is secured to plate 35. Mounted upon the mar ginal portion of the upper face of plate 35 at each side of the latter, is a ledge forming strip 39. Mounted on each end of the marginal portion of the upper face of the plate 35 at the iront of the latter is a short ledge forming strip 4t. These latter provide continuations and are of the same contour as the strips 39. The free ends or" the strips 4D are oppositely beveled as at 4I. The strips are arranged in spaced relation to provide a gap 42 which is closed by a means to be referred to.

Slidably supported by the members 38 is an extendible member 43 in the form of a flat board provided at its transverse center with a slot 44 having its walls reinforced by a thin slotted metallic strip 45. The edges of the slots in strip 45 are flush with the Walls of slot 44'. The strip is countersunk in and anchored to member 43. ll'he latter has the marginal portion of its upper face at the front thereof provided with a ledge forming strip 43 of the same contour as the strips 39 and 4Q. The strip 45 is employed for closing the gap 42 when the member 43 is in non-extended position. The ends of strip 45 are oppositely beveled.

' The member 43 is adapted to be extended from the front of the plate 35, and when so extended it is detachably held in such position by a binding device (Figures 2 and 4) consisting of a screw 4i countersunk in and depending from plate 35 through slot 44 and strip 45. Carried by screw 4l is a'washer 43 arranged in slot 44. Mounted on screw 4l is a wing nut 45 adapted to be adjusted to bind against strip 45 whereby member 43 will be clamped from movement and retained in its adjusted position. The binding device also acts to clamp member 43 from movement when the latter is non-extended. Secured to the brace 38 and depending therefrom is a handle member 55 for raising section 9 on the hinges 29 for moving section B to and from tilted or inclined position, the inclined position of section 9 being il- `lustrated in dotted lines, yFigure '4. `After section The section 9 is supported in tilted or inclined 4 position by a latchable supporting structure 52 arranged at each side thereof and also at each side of section 8. The structure 52 includes a pair of links 53, 54, the former being pivoted at its y rear end, as at 55 to a side member 2l'. The link 54 is pivoted .at its rear end, as at 53 to bar ll. The forward ends of links 53, 54, are pivotally connected at 5l. The structure 52 also includes a latching and bracing member' of link like form having its upper end loosely mounted on pivot 5l. The lower end of member 58 is formed with a T- shape notch, as at 53 for selectively engaging with a series of spaced parallel headed pins Si) secured to a vbar l I. When the section S) is shiited on the hinges 29 to an inclined position the links 53, 54 are extended relatively to each other and member 53 connected to a pin til whereby said links are held in extended position to arrest the shifting of section 9 forwardly or rearwardly. rIhe pins til in connection with member 53 and structure 52 provide for maintaining the section 9 in various angular positions with respect to section 3. The member 5S when not in use is disposed along the side of structure 52.

The section 9 is detachably held in horizontal position by a pair of sectional latching devices Gl (Figure 5) The latching devices are arranged at the sides of sections 8, 9 and each consists of a male and a female member 62, t3. The construction of said members is to provide for/member 62 frictionally engaging Within member 63. The member 62 is anchored to a bar I I and memer 63 to a side Ymember 21.

45 The section I0 is of substantially dumb-bell contour and includes a pair of thin iiat circular members (i4 constituting supports for articles and a combined coupling .and supporting bar 65 common to said members 64. The end portions 65 of bar 35 are squared and extend diametrically of the lower faces of and are anchored to the members t4. Secured against the lower face of each member lE54, abutting the sides of and disposed at right `angles to the end portion 55 of bar 65 is a pair of oppositely extending braces 6i, 51 each carrying an interiorly threaded socket former 68. The bar 65 is formed with a pair of spaced stretches 39 of circular cross sections. A squared end portion 66 merges into the outer end of a stretch 69. The bar 65 is also formed with an enlongated beveled stretch i3, which at its ends merges into the inner ends of the stretches 69. The beveled stretch lll provides .a clearance and seat for the extension 43 when extended after the section 9 has been moved to a tilted or inclined position. In this connection see dotted line showing Figure 4. Each stretch t9 is formed with a diametrically disposed opening 'il When section lil is positioned relative to section 9, the brackets I9 overlap the stretches .B9 (Figures 1, 2, 6 and 7). The section Ill is detachably connected to section 9 by the passage of Wing headed bolts 'I2 through the openings 'Il to threadedly engagein the shanks 22 of the brackets I9 (Figure 6). The

bolts 'I2 pass through the iurcations formed in the outer sides of the arms 2l) of the brackets I9.

The table-structure includes two pairs of legs. The legs of one pair are designated 'I3 and those of the other pair as 'IIL The legs 13, 'I4 are of greater length than the legs I4, I5. The legs 'I3 form a permanent part of the supporting section IE) and are secured in the threaded socket formers 68 carried by the braces El. The legs 'I4 are selectively associated with the sections 8 and I Il, and when used in connection with section 8 they are connected to the bars I I through the medium of the threaded walls of the openings I2 engaging with the threaded upper terminals I5 of the legs Ill. When these latter are used in connection with section It they are connected to the threaded socket formers 58 carried by the braces B'I.

The supporting section Il) is arranged relative to section 8 to permit of the convenient separation of section I@ therefrom whereby sections 8, 9 may be utilized as a bed table for supporting food or for supporting reading or other matter. When so used the legs 'I4 are not connected to section 8, but the legs I5, IS are extended to rest upon the bed to support sections 3 4and 9. When sections 8, 9 and I0 are used together to provide a oor table, the legs I5, I6 are not extended, but the legs 'I4 are secured to the bars I I and coact with the legs 'I3 for supporting sections 8, 9 and I from the floor. When employed as a floor table section 9 may be extended and adjusted for supporting reading or other matter at an inclination.

The brackets I9 provide a suspension for sections 8, 9 when the table-structure is employed as a screen. In this connection the bolts 'I2 are removed and the section 8 swings downwardly on the stretches 69 whereby brackets I9 will act as' a suspension. To prevent the separation of the sections 8, 9 from section II), when the tablestructure is employed ,as a. screen, the end portions t oi bar 65 have attached thereto flexible members 16, provided with hooks 'Il for detachable engagement with eyes '18, extended laterally from the side members 21.

What I claim is:

1. In a multi-use table, a body section, foldable legs pivoted to the latter, an angularly adjustable section arranged over, and hinged at its iront to, said body section, said adjustable section carrying a slidable extension member and being provided with means for detachably securing said extension member in extended and non-extended position, and said adjustable section having a ledge secured thereto on its upper face, a portion of the ledge being carried by said extension member.

2. In a multi-use table, a front section, a supporting structure connected thereto and extended rearwardly therefrom, an adjustable superstruc-V ture arranged over the supporting structure and including an extendible support for extension over said front section, said front section being formed with a clearance for said support when the latter is extended, means for hinging the superstructure to the supporting structure to provide for the adjusting of the superstructure, means for latching said structures together, and

legs connected to said front section and supporting structure.

3. In a multi-use table, a front section, a supporting structure connected thereto and extended rearwardly therefrom, an adjustable superstructure arranged over the supporting structure and including an extendible support for extension over said front section, said front section being formed with a clearance for said support when the latter is extended, means for hinging the 10 superstructure to the supporting structure to provide for the adjusting of the superstructure, means for latching said structures together, legs connected to said front section and supporting structure, and means for supporting said superstructure in adjusted position.

4. In a multi-use table, a front section, a supporting structure connected thereto and extended rearwardly therefrom, an adjustable superstructure arranged over the supporting structure and including an extendible support for extension over said front section, said front section being formed with a clearance for said support when the latter is extended, means for hinging the superstructure to the supporting structure to provide for the adjusting of the superstructure, means for latching said structures together, and legs connected to said front section and supporting structure.

5. In a multi-use table, a front section, a supporting structure connected thereto and extended rearwardly therefrom, an adjustable superstructure arranged over the supporting structure and including lan extendible support for extension over said front section, said front section being formed with a clearance for said support when the latter is extended, means for hinging the superstructure to the supporting structure to provide for the adjusting of the superstructure, means for latching said structures together, legs connected to said front section and supporting structure, and means for supporting said superstructure in adjusted position.

6. In a multi-use table, a iront section substantially of dumbbell contour, a supporting structure having means at its front for coupling it at spaced points to said section intermediate the ends of the latter, an adjustable superstructure arranged over the supporting structure, means for hinging said structures together at the front thereof, means for latching said structures together, and supporting legs attached to said section and supporting structure.

7. In a. multi-use table, a front section substantially of dumbbell contour, a supporting structure having means at its front for coupling it at spaced points to said section intermediate the ends of the latter, an adjustable superstructure arranged over the supporting structure, means for hinging said structures together at the front thereof, means for latching said structures together, supporting legs attached to said section and supporting structure, said superstructure including an extendible support, and said front section having means intermediate its ends to provide a combined clearance and seat for said support when the latter is extended.

CHARLES W. McNAIR. 

